I expect a great game on Sunday and, barring some sort of let-down from the interval between the SECCG and the NCG, a Tiger win. But even if something else happens, I am proud and happy that we're in the Sugar Bowl at all. I also am comfortable about the future, and I don't think that OU fans and others who view this as a one-year wonder or a flash in the pan, a once-in-45-years phenomenon, understand what is going on here. LSU brought in Mark Emmert from a major national university and, despite the angst of the old guard on the Board of Supervisors, Emmert refused to be cheap about what makes a university great. That isn't just in football, but it's most visible there. Now we know what it takes to have an excellent team--not just Louisiana talent which is unmatched per capita in any state (that's how DiNardo didn't get unmasked earlier), but a quality (read: EXPENSIVE) coach who demands the best out of the university, the players and the fans. Things are unlikely to revert to the old days. (How do you keep them down on the farm now that they've seen Paree?) The board members who used their jobs to feather their own nests for so many years and make their own uninformed choices for coaches, etc., are slowly getting neutralized or dying off, and everyone finally sees what a joke their opinions are. From now on, things are going to be done on a basis of what is best for the university, not what is best for Cusimano, et al. Nick is here for the foreseeable future (can Oklahoma say the same about Bob?) and we'll be right in the thick of it every year. Sure, there will be glitches, like injuries, but nothing like last year because our depth is finally where it needs to be. This is the future, Tigers! Get used to it, OU, USC, UGA, FSU, Texas, Nebraska, and Trev/Kirk/Mark/Lee. We're here to stay.
You're so right, it does start with Emmert and the enitre school is going through an upgrade accoring to some articles written in some college publications over the past few years. Saban is of course the catalyst when it comes to football and keeping the old athletic board out of decision making is very important, and I think Skip is strong enough to do that as well as Emmert. I would have left out the remark about Stoops though as I am sure OU fans and administrators are just as tired of hearing the BS as we are. Stoops is no more likely to leave than Saban, meaning they both will stay until the money just gets too high to pass up, somewhere in the 5-7 mil. range. Hopefully for Nick it won't get up that high.
don't know much about Stoops' plans Only reason I mentioned Stoops is that no one DOES seem to mention him--I guess because he has no NFL experience. I think that Nick is at a time in his life when it is unlikely he and his wife will want to move around much--kids in high school hate to move, and if they're doing well it's best to leave them alone. I don't know how old Stoops's kids are, but somehow I think of them as younger than Nick's. Anyway, everyone thinks Nick is leaving anytime someone offers him more money, not realizing that the money is very fleeting in the NFL and that LSU is a long-term deal. $5 million in one year is fine but $2 million for 20 years is better.
Good post Njtiger! I see the football team a top five program with a chance to compete for the MNC every year for the foreseeable future, the basketball program on the upswing after finally emerging from years of NCAA probation and sanctions, and the baseball team remaining the premier program in the nation. Indeed, the future looks very bright for LSU and LSU fans, and I'm looking very forward to enjoying it all. What a great time to be an LSU fan! Geaux Tigers
Re: don't know much about Stoops' plans Stoops name is mentioned, though as each year passes, less so. And, at this point, we're pretty confident Stoops is here to stay, especially after he passed up the Florida job following hte 2001 season. I think Stoops realizes that he's in a unique position to carve out a dynasty of his own at OU that could surpass those of Bud Wilkinson and Barry Switzer, if not equal them. It is believed that such a challenge (building a 3rd dynasty at OU) is very attractive to him. Insiders say that Bob and his wife truly enjoy living in Norman and want their kids (they have 4 yr old twins and an 8/9 yr old daughter) to grow up there. Furthermore, those close to the program say that monetary enticements are irrelevant at this point, considering he makes 2 to 2.5 million/yr, an amount already beyond the comprehension of someone from his working middle class background.
I should add that LSU's future does indeed look very bright....its current position within the SEC alone is very promising, and you guys have every reason to be giddy to the extreme.
Stoops success in the Big 12 is predicated on overwhelming recruiting success in Texas ... Oklahoma alone cannot sustain Bob Stoops ... recruiting fact If Texas ever gets a coach ... they'll snap OU's carrot. If the Spurrier rumors are true at Texas ... look out! If Saban were at Texas ... OU would never get to a Big 12 Championship ... not that that matters, they haven't been showing up in the BIG game anyway
I would guess that Texas has plenty of great players for both programs as they both are always ranked in the top 10 in recruiting every year, plus with waht they get form OKie and the 1 or 2 from a lot of other states, they don't have to worry about anything while Stoops is their.
